Friday, July 2. 2010

Oh Independence day... more than just an excuse to feel superior to your British friends; the 4th of July comes with FIREWORKS!

So.. what does a classy country like America do to celebrate their freedom one might ask? Well.. we eat. We drink. And we blow shit up!! **WOO!!** Barbecues are the traditional banquet, dripping with saucy goodness and no napkins allowed of course.

Those of you familiar with the workings of the Green Tortoise know we usually provide live music on Sunday nights. However! This week, in the spirit of America we're going to help you get drunk and see some sweet fireworks! We'll be taking a group of people out and about, ending up by the beach at Fisherman's Warf. Can't you just imagine yourself snuggled up against some beautiful foreign person sitting right here... in san francisco with a big piece of barbecued pork?

Alright, lets say you came with your significant other... ( for some reason...) and want to do something away from the group? Well! The tortoise has you covered. That's what our big shell is for! Here's a comprehensive list of other things to do in SF if you're here on the 4th.

Palo Alto Chili Cook Off! All day! For Free! In the heart of silicon valley, palo alto is home to the biggest tech firms in the world. It is also home to some really gnarly chili! This is the best chance to get down to the cyberworld of the south bay, even if you don't know a keyboard from a motherboard, at least you can still gorge on chili.

Oakland Patriotic Picnic and Ice Cream Social! 12pm until 6pm 10$ Entry. This IS your grandmother's picnic. This historica Pardee Home Museum in downtown Oakland hosts a costumed patriotic picnic and stereopticon Ice Cream social. Admission to this 1910 - themed event includes live entertainment, including ragtime music and popular songs of the era.

Family fun in Oakland! 12pm for FREE! The city is hosting a fun daytime event for families with food, a petting zoo, magicians, Kinetic Art's Youth Circus Troupe, Stilt Walking, farmers and artisan markets, live music and more.

All American Concert by the Golden Gate Park Band 1pm for FREE! The always entertaining Golden Gate Park Band performs from its huge repertoire of music of all styles and eras, while wearing cool uniforms. A not to be missed San Francisco tradition.

FREE HOT DOG DAY! In the Inner Richmond from 1pm to 6pm. The Frankenart Mart is a small galleryin the Inner Richmond. Packed with original exhibits and strange artwork, they also have a monthly free hotdog day! and its the 4th! Also, this is their 4th annual Hot Dog Drawing Contest. Amazing.

San Francisco Opera 2010, Stern Grove Festival. 2pm for FREE!A celebration of american music with the San Francisco Opera and Chorus!

SF Mime Troupe "Posibilidad" Opening Weekend at Dolores Park. FOR FREE! 2pm. The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe opens its 51st season with Posibilidad, or death of Worker. It'll probably be hot out there but an amazing time! Mimes on 4th of July?

Free tango lessons in Union Square at 2pm! 2PM TO 4PM just for fun, and free for all! If you're going to take a detour out into the city, might as well hit up a little midday dance. Get those awkward boys out there and feelin their hips!

At the Warf! from 3-930 pm. Street performers, food, fun and tons of people.

At 9:30pm the fireworks start! This is the time to grab your honey, or.. at least a beer and OooOohh and Ahh until the finale!